First ever Pagan Blessing at the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament
First ever Pagan Blessing at the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament
Wednesday the 13th of May 2026 was the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament. The Kirking of the Scottish Parliament is an old tradition where the incoming Scottish Parliament is blessed. Traditionally, this was done by the church. In recent years this has included an interfaith element where members of the diverse faith and belief groups of Scotland are invited to offer a brief blessing to the incoming Scottish Parliament. The event was attended by the newly elected MSPs of the Scottish Parliament, HRH Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh, alongside many invited guests and religious leaders.
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This year, for the first time in Scottish history, a Pagan was invited to perform a blessing as part of the interfaith section of the service. This is a monumental step forward for Pagans in Scotland to be included at such an event and represents the continuing acceptance of Paganism as a faith within Scotland.
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This would not have been possible without the help of many. We are extremely grateful to our wonderful colleagues within Edinburgh Interfaith Association who have been long standing supporters of including Pagans in multi-faith events and trainings. We offer thanks to the Scottish Parliament who invited a Pagan to not only attend but to perform a blessing. We also offer a huge thank you to Scott Richardson-Read, the founder of Cailleach's Herbarium, for his help and support with crafting this blessing.
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While the service itself was not recorded, we are pleased to share the blessing that our Presiding Officer, Matt Cormack, performed on this momentous occasion:
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"Invited guests, it is an honour to be the first Pagan invited to perform a blessing at the Kirking of Parliament.
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Most Pagan paths are united by our reverence for nature. The Earth cares for us all and we too must be stewards of the Earth. May the Scottish Parliament be blessed with the strength to care for our planet so that our children and our children’s children may thrive and experience the magnificence of nature surrounding us.
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I offer a thread from Scottish animist tradition: Sacred Hospitality. The call to welcome, to shelter, to stand beside those in need. It rises from our Gaelic roots and still lives within our shared inheritance, echoed today in the spirit of welcome we extend to New Scots.
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I bless this Parliament to remember this duty is a living practice, not just an abandoned ancient notion. Demonstrated in how everyone in this parliament will meet those most pushed to the margins including disabled people, refugees, Queer and Trans people.
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May Sacred Hospitality move through this parliament like breath through the body.
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And may Scotland stand, once again, as a light in the dark, a place of refuge, of dignity and of hope for all those who seek or need it.
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Blessed Be."
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